Kings of the Trenches: '25 Defensive Linemen

Football is won in the trenches. It doesn't matter what type of offense or defense you run, if you can't control the trenches and get the push in your favor then you can't be successful. The athletes it takes in the trenches to win at a high level of college football are hard to find because they are so few and far between. However, the Class of 2025 coming out of Illinois has several that are still on the open market and looking for their next level home. Those special athletes are our focus today!    Jake isn't just one of the best uncommitted DL in IL. He is one of the best uncommitted football players overall in the state. The stud DL shows inside/outside versatility. At 6'4" 230 lbs, he is obviously built for the DE position. However, he shows the quickness, raw strength, and hand use to rush from the interior in third and long scenarios too. Jake does a great job of getting hands on and using his overpowering strength to bull rush his opponent into the lap of the QB. His leg drive jumps off the tape and his upper body strength allows him to easily control or shed the OL with ease. Jake has a great first step that instantly generates power out of his stance and the range is there to chase down the ball anywhere in the backfield. Spanish's quickness, size, and power are special and belong at the D1 level.     Ke'Andre is a nightmare on the edge to defend. You can't free release him when he's on the backside because he has the speed to rapidly close on the ball in the backfield. The DE explodes off the line with instant power and acceleration. He has violent hands that are able to swipe aside OTs. The '25 does an excellent job of getting hands on, creating separation and then shedding the block and pursuing the ball. McClendon also shows a high football IQ, finding the ball quickly and knowing where he needs to be and maintaining his gap/leverage. Get eyes on this mismatch in the trenches while he is still available.     Jack is an edge defender on the rise, and the tape is full of examples why. His 6'4" 220 lbs frame is long and lean with a lot of room to continue to fill out in a college weight room and become an FBS OLB or potentially a DE. Jack does a great job of setting the edge against the run. He can take on blockers and force the ball inside or quickly disengage and make the tackle himself. Jack can do it all at the HS level, going from setting a stout edge to flying off the snap and getting after the QB. When he flashes that first step quickness, Jack is able to quickly get to the heels of OTs and have an easy path to the QB. Lastly, Jack has a lot of examples showing the ability to turn that speed into power while rushing the passer. He is a versatile prospect that has the tools to win consistently on the edge at the Power 4 level.     Charlie is an under the radar prospect with a strong base of traits that will allow him to be a difference maker at the next level. His short area quickness, both laterally and getting downhill, help him win battles, get leverage, or close on the ball as a free runner. The DE flashes stout strength to hold the line of scrimmage or take on pulling blockers without giving up ground. Charlie isn't a prospect who flies around wrecklessly. Instead he seems to have a plan, uses hand fighting moves, and can counter off of initial moves. Stec is a talented DL prospect to have on your radars entering the 2024 season.     A DL recruit who I believe has a D2 floor is the talented [player_tooltip player_id='331569' first='Tony' last='Galloway'] out of Romeoville. Tony has an excellent frame that is already well filled out. However, he is still able to play with quickness needed while playing DE in a three man front. The big man is a consistent hand user, helping him stay clean and disengage quickly from his opponent. The '25 flashes the power to hold his ground against double teams as well. Add in that he has experience playing OL and you have a hidden gem that can help a college program in a lot of different ways. Check him out.

Football is won in the trenches. It doesn't matter what type of offense or defense you run, if you can't control the trenches and get the push in your favor then you can't be successful. The athletes it takes in the trenches to win at a high level of college football are hard to find because they are so few and far between. However, the Class of 2025 coming out of Illinois has several that are still on the open market and looking for their next level home. Those special athletes are our focus today!